tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, switched right and headway inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed and gradually weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, kept on after
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, good headway inside final furlong to lead close home
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, headed close home
prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
An open contest here and Rainbow Fox looks just about good enough to take it, with Haajes, Joyeaux and Finsbury among others booked for a good run. Rainbow Fox has two wins to his name from 19 starts and that strike rate may be offputting for some. However, his recent form since scoring at Ayr in July has been very consistent and repeating the dose would see him thereabouts. Haajes won a Nottingham ladies' handicap last time and steps back up in trip now, but does so far look to be better over the minimum. Finsbury has not been tried over this trip for 14 starts going back over a year and this drop back is not certain to suit. However, he is in decent form and in a race where there are doubts over many he should not be far away. Joyeaux flits around between trips and has won twice over this distance on the all weather, though never on turf. Even so she is competitive off this mark and she is another who can go close. Katie Boo likes it here and comes from a yard back in form, but is perhaps a bit too high in the weights and we are happy to side with Rainbow Fox.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Behind, headway final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Esteem Machine (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Katie Boo (IRE) 2-1fav (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Steel Blue 12-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 7th of 14, 3l behind Barney McGrew (9-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (4) gd.
Haajes 9-1 (9-6) Outpaced, ridden, headway over 1f out, soon led, ran on, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Bookiesindex Boy (9-7) by 2l, 10 ran.
Ellens Academy (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Oeuf A La Neige (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Finsbury 16-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, went 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Titan Triumph (9-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Rainbow Fox 11-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dakota Rain (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Joyeaux 10-3 (8-12) Soon chasing leaders, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Word Perfect (9-10) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.